Severely damaged and rebuilt vehicle

If you wish to repair a severely damaged vehicle in order to put it back on the road, you must keep a rebuilding record as you carry out the repairs. The rebuilding record must be provided when you apply to have your rebuilt vehicle declared roadworthy using the form entitled Demande de certification d’un véhicule reconstruit (in French only).  If any information is missing from the record, your application may be refused.

Contents of the rebuilding record

Names and addresses:

• of the vehicle's owner
• of the insurer that insured the vehicle before it was acquired by the current owner (include the claim number)
• of the person rebuilding the vehicle

Characteristics of the vehicle and information about its rebuilding

• The vehicle's year, make, model and vehicle identification number (VIN)
• A list of the major components and safety equipment used, including the name of the supplier, the date of purchase and the VIN of the vehicle they were taken from (if the major component employed is a used part)
• Invoices for the major components and safety equipment used, including the name of the supplier, the date of purchase and the VIN of the vehicle they were taken from (if the major component employed is a used part)
• The invoice for the vehicle carcass and its VIN
• The estimate of damages
• The instructions used to rebuild the vehicle, if rebuilding the vehicle required the repair, straightening or sectional replacement of structural members (if the instructions are not available, refer to the page on full-body sectioning (clipping) of a vehicle and repairs to structural members (in French only) for information on what alternative steps must be taken)

Photos of the vehicle

A sign with the date and the last 8 characters of the repaired vehicle’s VIN must appear in each photo. A sheet with this handwritten information must be clearly visible near the photographed part (see the example provided in the page on full-body sectioning (clipping) of a vehicle and repairs to structural members (in French only)).

• 4 colour photos must be taken before the repairs showing the front, rear and both sides of the vehicle
• 1 colour photo must be taken when the vehicle is being straightened on the frame alignment bench
• Colour photos of each assembly point must also be provided for each important phase of the repairs if the assembly points are not accessible and clearly visible when the technical appraisal is carried out (for more information, refer to the page on full-body sectioning (clipping) of a vehicle and repairs to structural members (in French only))
• If the estimate of repairs provided by the insurer requires repairing parts that are not damaged, take a photo to show that they are in good condition.

Alignment certificate

• A certificate confirming that the wheel alignment meets the manufacturer's standards must be included in the rebuilding record.

Recalibration of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)

Recalibration of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) is required when a vehicle equipped with these systems is damaged, and the damage or repairs may have affected them. Two related documents are required in the rebuilding record: 

1. The report from the diagnostic tool, which must demonstrate that the systems have been successfully recalibrated and must include the following information:
   • the date and time of recalibration;
   • the year, make, model, serial number and odometer reading of the vehicle;
   • a list of the systems with which the vehicle is equipped and those that were recalibrated;
   • the results of the recalibration.
2. The recalibration invoice, which must indicate:
   • the name and address of the repair shop that recalibrated the vehicle’s systems;
   • the year, make, model and serial number of the vehicle worked on;
   • the nature of the work done;
   • the date on which the work was done;
   • the signature of the technician who recalibrated the vehicle’s systems.

If a vehicle requires a dynamic recalibration on the road, you must go to a service outlet to obtain a temporary 12-hour registration certificate for the vehicle.

The Demande de certification d’un véhicule reconstruit⁠ ⁠ (in French only) must be duly completed and signed.

The complete rebuilding record must be given to the road vehicle inspection agent at the time of the technical appraisal.

When the rebuilding record is complete, you must make an appointment at a mechanical inspection centre.

On the day of the appraisal, you must present the rebuilding record. The appraisal is at your own expense.

If the vehicle meets technical requirements

The mechanical inspection centre will issue you a technical compliance certificate if the rebuilt vehicle meets the SAAQ’s requirements.

If the vehicle does not meet technical requirements

It must undergo another technical appraisal as soon as you have made the required corrections.

Once a technical compliance certificate has been issued, the vehicle must undergo a mechanical inspection.

If the vehicle meets the safety standards for road vehicles, the mechanical inspection centre will issue you a mechanical inspection certificate confirming that the vehicle meets the applicable standards.

You must obtain both a technical compliance certificate and a mechanical inspection certificate confirming that the vehicle meets the applicable standards before putting the vehicle back on the road.

When registering the vehicle

Documents required

You must present:

• your driver's licence or another official photo ID document
• a mechanical inspection certificate confirming that the vehicle meets the applicable standards
• technical compliance certificate

Other documents may be required depending on the type of rebuilt vehicle and how you intend to use it.

If you are under age 18

You must also present the Consent of a Person Having Parental Authority (PDF, 128.7 KB)⁠ form completed by your father, mother or legal guardian.

If you do not have a driver's licence

Phone us to find out what documents will be required for you to put the vehicle back on the road.

If you cannot come to the service outlet in person

The person who goes to the service outlet for you must bring the original of the Power of Attorney (PDF, 657.0 KB)⁠ form completed by you.

Costs and payment

At our service outlets, we accept payment:

• in cash
• by debit card (not available at some service outlets)
• by one or more pre-authorized debits (a cheque specimen must be provided)
• by cheque or money order

Payment by credit card is not accepted.

Payment of the GST and QST

You may not be required to pay the GST and QST when you register your vehicle.

For more information, phone Revenu Québec⁠ ⁠.

Le coût d'immatriculation sera plus élevé…

If the vehicle is a luxury vehicle

A passenger vehicle or a commercial vehicle is considered a luxury vehicle if it meets the following 3 criteria:

• it has a value of more than $40,000
• it has a net weight of 3,000 kg or less
• it is less than 7 years old

In such a case, a surcharge is added to the registration fee equal to 1% of the portion of the vehicle's value over $40,000.

If it is a large-cylinder capacity vehicle

A passenger vehicle, motor home or commercial vehicle is considered to be a large-cylinder capacity vehicle if:

• it has a cylinder capacity of 3.95 litres or more

AND

• the model year is 1995 or later

No surcharge is added to the registration fee for the following large-cylinder capacity vehicles:

• a vehicle adapted for transporting a wheelchair-bound person
• a minibus for a large family (9 or more people living in the same household)
• a vehicle used by a driving school

If you live in one of these places

• an area served by public transit
• the Montréal agglomeration

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Mandatory private insurance coverage

You must have a civil liability insurance policy contracted from a private insurer providing minimum coverage of $50,000.

If you are not insured and you are pulled over by the police or involved in a traffic accident that causes more than $500 in damage to the property of another party:

• your driver's licence or your right to obtain one could be suspended
• all of your vehicles may be prohibited from road use
• you will be assessed a fine that varies depending on the type of vehicle